Blackburn owners stand behind Kean

Monday 7 March 2011 17:00 BST

Steve Kean

Blackburn's owners have insisted there is "absolutely no truth" in rumours that manager Steve Kean is under pressure.

Speculation mounted about the Scot's position over the weekend after Rovers were beaten 3-2 by Fulham on Saturday, their fifth defeat in sixth matches. The only Barclays Premier League point they have picked up during that time came from a goalless draw with Newcastle and the run has seen Blackburn drop to within two points of the relegation zone.

Chairman Anuradha Desai issued a statement on the club website on Monday afternoon, which read: "I do not know the source of these rumours but I would like to clarify that there is absolutely no truth in these reports. I would like to put on record that we have a contract with Steve Kean and he will continue in his present position with the club."

Indian company Venky's took over Rovers in November and showed they were not afraid to make big decisions when they sacked then manager Sam Allardyce the following month.

First-team coach Kean was appointed as his successor, initially until the end of the season, despite a lack of managerial experience.

Early results, which included a victory over Liverpool, were encouraging and in January Kean signed a two-and-a-half-year deal to keep him in the hotseat until the summer of 2013.

Venky's also dismissed rumours that Kean had been summoned to a meeting with Desai in London at the weekend, but co-owner Venkatesh Rao did admit to concern about recent results.

He told Sky Sports News: "We are very concerned but we are now trying to improve all aspects. Plans are looking very positive and I am sure in the future we will do something better."

Blackburn do not have a match this weekend and resume their Premier League campaign with a crunch game against fellow strugglers Blackpool a week on Saturday.